Hydrogeology and Water Quality Management

Numerous environmental and water quality investigations have been completed to date which are largely two-dimensional in that the environmental and land-use factors are evaluated from a surficial standpoint only, with minimum concern given to the third dimension of depth, and therefore, the majority of the hydrogeologic framework lying below land surface. An integral part of Comprehensive Water Quality Management Planning (COWAMP) program for Pennsylvania is a definition of the hydrogeologic framework as the interrelationship of it and the land use imposed upon it affect ground-water quality, and the interrelationship of this ground-water quality with its subsequent discharge to surface water. Recognition of the fact that the environment is a complex interweaving of many variables, and the strong control exerted by the natural physical components comprising the hydrogeologic framework can be expected to minimize or avoid the deleterious and sometimes catastrophic results of the omission of such recognition.